Why You Should Teach Your Child Sign Language
What is your position when it comes to learning and teaching your child a new language?
Did you know that when your child is taught both English and sign language together, they are processing language using both sides of their growing little brains?
Hey Mamas,
There are so many benefits to teaching our babies sign language. According to experts, babies around six to seven months can remember signs, by eight months they can start signing single words, and by 24 months they can start signing full sentences!
I think that is honestly amazing!
You can choose to teach your kid ASL until they can sign complete sentences but for now we will just go over a few signs that are great to start with.
These are signs that I started teaching my son when he was about 7-8 months and it really clicked when he was about 9 months.
He continues to use it too!
I swear he has three languages, English, sign language, and the language of “mmm” “hmmm” “ahhh” partnered with a pointer finger LOL.
But let’s talk about his knowledge of sign language because that is obviously why you are here!
Benefits of Sign Language For Your Baby
-Learning Sign along with English gives children two places to recall language from instead of just one
- Research shows that teaching sign language to preverbal children speeds up speech and emotional development
- it reduces frustration for the child and for the parent by providing a means of communication (the main reason I started ASL)
(Let’s talk about this point! Young children get very frustrated before they learn to speak because they have no way of communicating their wants and needs with us.
This frustration is the reason for most screaming, crying, and tantrum episodes. Teaching our children just a few signs can significantly reduce the feelings of anger making everyone happier and situations less stressful.)
- it increases parent-child bonding
- lets babies communicate vital information, such as being hurt or hungry
-children are said to have improved confidence and self-esteem
The list can literally go on so if you’re really interested in the benefits I encourage you to do a little research because there is so much out there.
Basic Signs For Your Baby
For every sign, the easiest way to teach your child, is to sign the word EVERY SINGLE TIME that you say it.
Consistency is literally KEY just like everything else!
The more they see you do it, the faster they will learn.
Also, after you sign each word, do it a few times and then help them to do it too!
Example: “Do you want milk (sign milk)”? Milk (sign), Milk (sign)
Also, VERY IMPORTANT, be very encouraging and full of praise when they try to do it, or do it correctly. Children love praise and will be encouraged to do it more so they can get that praise.
Lastly, note that every sign does not need to be done perfectly, it’s just meant for your child to be understood!
We started with these:
Description of Each Sign
EAT: basically the action of bringing food to your mouth
DRINK: the action of drinking from a cup
MILK: opening and closing your hand
THANK YOU: Bring the tip of your fingers to your chin and directly out
PLEASE: open hand to the abdomen and move it in a circle clockwise
ALL DONE: The action of putting your hands in front of you and flipping your hands so your palms face you and then your child
MORE: Bringing the tips of your fingers to repeatedly tap each other as shown above
These are all very small and simple hand gestures that make a huge difference in motherhood.
As always, I pray that my learned knowledge and skills is helpful to you and make motherhood that much smoother for you!